Dimitar Berbatov insists David de Gea needs Dean Henderson competition at Manchester United

Dimitar Berbatov believes David de Gea needs competition from Dean Henderson to keep him on his toes at Manchester United, claiming the Spaniard thinks he is ‘untouchable’ at present.

De Gea has come under even more scrutiny after his performance against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, during which he was guilty for Olivier Giroud and Mason Mount’s goals as United lost 3-1.

Henderson is now pushing for the No 1 spot at United after shining on loan for Sheffield United in the Premier League this season.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has come under plenty of scrutiny this season

And Berbatov insists De Gea, who the former striker claims is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, could benefit from having competition from Henderson. 

The former Untited striker told Betfair: ‘In my opinion, he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, regardless of the mistakes he has made this season. Every goalkeeper, even the greats of the past have all made mistakes throughout the years.

‘It’s David’s job to evaluate his performance and I’m sure he knows that he’s not doing well and he can do much, much better.

‘I don’t know what people want sometimes, he can come out and say “yes, I made a mistake,” but it’s obvious that has happened, he can see it and I’m sure on the way home after the game he was regretting it, every footballer rewinds mistakes in their heads after a game.

Dean Henderson will be eyeing De Gea’s No 1 spot at United after impressing at Bramall Lane

‘If United decide to bring back Dean Henderson from Sheffield United, I think that will do De Gea good; players need that competition and Henderson is doing tremendously well in my opinion.

‘Henderson is 23, which for a goalkeeper is still very young, he’s got a lot of football ahead of him, but you can see that he is hungry to play and I think the competition he could bring to De Gea could be the difference-maker, or breaker.

‘Sometimes when you feel too secure in your position that is the moment when you start making mistakes. It’s the same with outfield players, when you think you are untouchable you make more mistakes because you are over-confident.’

While Henderson is putting pressure on De Gea at Old Trafford, the young keeper is also eyeing the No 1 spot for England.

The 23-year-old sits joint-third with most clean sheets in the Premier League, picking up 13 along the way this season.

Dimitar Berbatov believes his former United team-mate could benefit from competition